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Iraq aide laments troop failings Iraq aide laments troop failings
(10 minutes later)
The Iraqi president's security adviser has said Iraqi forces trying to improve security in Baghdad are under funded, badly trained and poorly equipped.The Iraqi president's security adviser has said Iraqi forces trying to improve security in Baghdad are under funded, badly trained and poorly equipped.
Wafiq al-Samarra'i said that sometimes the insurgents had better weapons.Wafiq al-Samarra'i said that sometimes the insurgents had better weapons.
US President George W Bush said the situation in Iraq was "tough" and that he would consult senior US generals to see if a change in tactics was needed.US President George W Bush said the situation in Iraq was "tough" and that he would consult senior US generals to see if a change in tactics was needed.
Their comments come a day after the US military said a two-month operation in Baghdad had failed to reduce violence.Their comments come a day after the US military said a two-month operation in Baghdad had failed to reduce violence.
Launched in June, Operation Together Forward is a joint US and Iraqi security drive in which thousands of extra troops have been deployed in Baghdad.Launched in June, Operation Together Forward is a joint US and Iraqi security drive in which thousands of extra troops have been deployed in Baghdad.
The Iraqi troops are so poorly armed to the point that sometimes the terrorists and death squads have better weapons Wafiq al-Samarra'iIraqi security adviser UK may return to crisis city
"Circumstances are responsible for the plan's failure," said Staff Maj-Gen Wafiq al-Samarra'i, the Iraqi presidential adviser for security affairs, during an interview with the BBC Arabic Service."Circumstances are responsible for the plan's failure," said Staff Maj-Gen Wafiq al-Samarra'i, the Iraqi presidential adviser for security affairs, during an interview with the BBC Arabic Service.
"The state revenues are not enough to safeguard security in the whole of Baghdad, with its seven million inhabitants and 2,500 sq km."The state revenues are not enough to safeguard security in the whole of Baghdad, with its seven million inhabitants and 2,500 sq km.
"The Iraqi troops are so poorly armed to the point that sometimes the terrorists and death squads have better weapons," he said."The Iraqi troops are so poorly armed to the point that sometimes the terrorists and death squads have better weapons," he said.
Tactics 'adjusting'Tactics 'adjusting'
Amid mounting domestic pressure for a change of strategy in Iraq, President Bush said he planned to hold consultations on tactics with Gen John Abizaid, the top US commander in the Middle East, and Gen George Casey, the leader of the US-led coalition in Iraq.Amid mounting domestic pressure for a change of strategy in Iraq, President Bush said he planned to hold consultations on tactics with Gen John Abizaid, the top US commander in the Middle East, and Gen George Casey, the leader of the US-led coalition in Iraq.
Top US officials will discuss whether new tactics are neededBut he stressed that the overall US strategy remained the same.Top US officials will discuss whether new tactics are neededBut he stressed that the overall US strategy remained the same.
"Our goal hasn't changed, but the tactics are constantly adjusting to an enemy which is brutal and violent," he said."Our goal hasn't changed, but the tactics are constantly adjusting to an enemy which is brutal and violent," he said.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said the meeting was one of a series of regular consultations and had been scheduled "for weeks".White House spokesman Tony Snow said the meeting was one of a series of regular consultations and had been scheduled "for weeks".
Opinion polls suggest two-thirds of all Americans think the president's strategy in Iraq has failed.Opinion polls suggest two-thirds of all Americans think the president's strategy in Iraq has failed.
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the figure could translate into catastrophic election losses in mid-term elections next month, which might see the Democrats back in power in Congress, and the Bush presidency becoming the lamest of lame ducks.The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the figure could translate into catastrophic election losses in mid-term elections next month, which might see the Democrats back in power in Congress, and the Bush presidency becoming the lamest of lame ducks.
The US president's comments came two days after he said the escalation of violence in Iraq "could be" comparable to the 1968 Tet Offensive against US troops, which helped turn public opinion against the Vietnam War.The US president's comments came two days after he said the escalation of violence in Iraq "could be" comparable to the 1968 Tet Offensive against US troops, which helped turn public opinion against the Vietnam War.
'Below expectations''Below expectations'
On Thursday US military spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell said there had been a "disheartening" 22% rise in attacks in Baghdad since the end of last month.On Thursday US military spokesman Maj Gen William Caldwell said there had been a "disheartening" 22% rise in attacks in Baghdad since the end of last month.
Operation Together Forward was seen as key to asserting the authority of the Iraqi government over all of the capital and eventually the rest of the country, paving the way for the withdrawal of US forces.Operation Together Forward was seen as key to asserting the authority of the Iraqi government over all of the capital and eventually the rest of the country, paving the way for the withdrawal of US forces.
But Gen Caldwell said attacks on US troops and Iraqi forces in Baghdad had risen significantly in the first three weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the operation had "not met our overall expectations".But Gen Caldwell said attacks on US troops and Iraqi forces in Baghdad had risen significantly in the first three weeks of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the operation had "not met our overall expectations".
With 73 US soldiers killed so far, October is on course to become the deadliest month for US forces in Iraq for two years.With 73 US soldiers killed so far, October is on course to become the deadliest month for US forces in Iraq for two years.